Same-Sex Parents in Carolina Can Now Be Listed on Birth Certificates

Jacquelin Carson and Carly Carson were legally married when they had their twins. However, when they tried to list themselves as parents on their children’s birth certificates in South Carolina, the state refused them that right.

Thankfully the couple sued the state in court, claiming that the refusal by the state violated Obergefell v. Hodges, and they won. From now on, South Carolina will list same-sex parents on birth certificates.

South Carolina isn’t the first to be ordered to give same-sex parents their equal rights. Florida and Nebraska were both ordered by federal judges to list same-sex parents on birth certificates, but unfortunately, the same was not done in Arkansas, which held that the state was not required to do so.

Here’s hoping that justice is seen for parents in Arkansas — but until then, congratulations two-mom and two-dad families of South Carolina.